What are It Teams OKRs?
The Objective and Key Results (OKR) framework is a simple goal-setting methodology that was introduced at Intel by Andy Grove in the 70s. It became popular after John Doerr introduced it to Google in the 90s, and it's now used by teams of all sizes to set and track ambitious goals at scale.
Formulating strong OKRs can be a complex endeavor, particularly for first-timers. Prioritizing outcomes over projects is crucial when developing your plans.
We've tailored a list of OKRs examples for It Teams to help you. You can look at any of the templates below to get some inspiration for your own goals.
If you want to learn more about the framework, you can read our OKR guide online.
How to write your own It Teams OKRs
1. Get tailored OKRs with an AI
You'll find some examples below, but it's likely that you have very specific needs that won't be covered.
You can use Tability's AI generator to create tailored OKRs based on your specific context. Tability can turn your objective description into a fully editable OKR template -- including tips to help you refine your goals.
- 1. Go to Tability's plan editor
- 2. Click on the "Generate goals using AI" button
- 3. Use natural language to describe your goals
Tability will then use your prompt to generate a fully editable OKR template.
Watch the video below to see it in action 👇
Option 2. Optimise existing OKRs with Tability Feedback tool
If you already have existing goals, and you want to improve them. You can use Tability's AI feedback to help you.
- 1. Go to Tability's plan editor
- 2. Add your existing OKRs (you can import them from a spreadsheet)
- 3. Click on "Generate analysis"
Tability will scan your OKRs and offer different suggestions to improve them. This can range from a small rewrite of a statement to make it clearer to a complete rewrite of the entire OKR.
You can then decide to accept the suggestions or dismiss them if you don't agree.
Option 3. Use the free OKR generator
If you're just looking for some quick inspiration, you can also use our free OKR generator to get a template.
Unlike with Tability, you won't be able to iterate on the templates, but this is still a great way to get started.
It Teams OKRs examples
You'll find below a list of Objectives and Key Results templates for It Teams. We also included strategic projects for each template to make it easier to understand the difference between key results and projects.
Hope you'll find this helpful!
OKRs to streamline and automate IT infrastructure processes
- ObjectiveStreamline and automate IT infrastructure processes
- KRImplement automation in 70% of server management tasks to enhance efficiency
- Train the team on implementing automation processes
- Identify the predominant server management tasks for automation
- Research and select suitable automation tools
- KRDeploy desktop automation to reduce manual tasks in IT support by 50%
- Purchase and install necessary automation software
- Identify repetitive, manual tasks in IT support for automation
- Train IT support staff in automation usage
- KRDevelop an automated solution to resolve 60% of common network issues
- Test and implement the automation solution
- Identify common network issues and their frequency
- Design a prototype for automated issue resolution
OKRs to improve incident management
- ObjectiveBuild an amazing incident management process
- KRReduce the number of regressions by 60%
- KRIncrease the size of the incident response team from 2 to 6 people
- KRReduce the MTTR from 3h to 60 minutes
OKRs to increase security awareness
- ObjectiveMake security part of our culture
- KRRoll out fleet management pilot to 30% of the company
- KR2FA is used on all 3rd party services used by employees
- KR100% of our employees have gone through security training
OKRs to improve developer experience by improvign dev speed
- ObjectiveProvide amazing Developer Experience (DX) by improving dev speed
- KR90% of products have a standardized Continuous Delivery pipeline
- KRReduce average build time from 20 minutes to 2 minutes
- KRReduce release cycle time from 12 days to 3 days
OKRs to improve the Disaster Recover process
- ObjectiveHave a world class DR process
- KRIncrease the number of DR tests from 1 to 3 per quarter
- KRReduce recovery period from 24h to 12h
- KRReduce recovery point objective from 12 business hours to 4 business hours
OKRs to enhance application security knowledge and awareness among teams
- ObjectiveImprove application security knowledge and awareness
- KRIncrease the frequency of security checklist reviews by 50%
- KRConduct at least one security training session per team
- KRProvide secure coding guidelines and best practices to each team
- KRImplement a mandatory security certification program for all teams
It Teams OKR best practices
Generally speaking, your objectives should be ambitious yet achievable, and your key results should be measurable and time-bound (using the SMART framework can be helpful). It is also recommended to list strategic initiatives under your key results, as it'll help you avoid the common mistake of listing projects in your KRs.
Here are a couple of best practices extracted from our OKR implementation guide 👇
Tip #1: Limit the number of key results
Having too many OKRs is the #1 mistake that teams make when adopting the framework. The problem with tracking too many competing goals is that it will be hard for your team to know what really matters.
We recommend having 3-4 objectives, and 3-4 key results per objective. A platform like Tability can run audits on your data to help you identify the plans that have too many goals.
Tip #2: Commit to weekly OKR check-ins
Setting good goals can be challenging, but without regular check-ins, your team will struggle to make progress. We recommend that you track your OKRs weekly to get the full benefits from the framework.
Being able to see trends for your key results will also keep yourself honest.
Tip #3: No more than 2 yellow statuses in a row
Yes, this is another tip for goal-tracking instead of goal-setting (but you'll get plenty of OKR examples above). But, once you have your goals defined, it will be your ability to keep the right sense of urgency that will make the difference.
As a rule of thumb, it's best to avoid having more than 2 yellow/at risk statuses in a row.
Make a call on the 3rd update. You should be either back on track, or off track. This sounds harsh but it's the best way to signal risks early enough to fix things.
How to track your It Teams OKRs
Your quarterly OKRs should be tracked weekly in order to get all the benefits of the OKRs framework. Reviewing progress periodically has several advantages:
- It brings the goals back to the top of the mind
- It will highlight poorly set OKRs
- It will surface execution risks
- It improves transparency and accountability
Spreadsheets are enough to get started. Then, once you need to scale you can use a proper OKR platform to make things easier.
If you're not yet set on a tool, you can check out the 5 best OKR tracking templates guide to find the best way to monitor progress during the quarter.
More It Teams OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.
OKRs to improve the game's community size and interaction levels OKRs to master fundamentals of Data Structures and Algorithms OKRs to establish Conditions for Fast Decision-Making Processes OKRs to radically boost fundraising efficacy and secure debt and equity OKRs to enhance Quality Assurance automation capacity OKRs to boost CPM revenue significantly